Virtues - ODE (EP Review)

Virtues - ODE
Released: August 8, 2025

Lineup

Joe Welch // Drums
Daniel Devitt  // Lead Guitar
Alex Miller // Rhythm Guitar
Wade Felsch  // Vocals

Online

‍Facebook
Instagram

In the ever-expanding universe of Aussie metalcore-come-deathcore, Brissey-based Virtues have carved out a space for themselves with a sound that is as aggressive as it is intricate. Rejecting the notion that a band must fit neatly into a single sub-genre, Virtues blends the rhythmic chaos of deathcore with the structural complexity of progressive metal, all while maintaining a foundational metalcore sensibility. 

The group have built a solid and evolving discography primarily through a display of unforgiving singles and a pivotal debut EP called Nothing Grows, released literally at the cusp of the COVID-19 catalyst in March 2020... Virtues have become known in national heavy circles with the aforementioned release plus evergrowing tunes like ‘The House That Evil Built’ ‘The Valley’ and more recently ‘Grave Eater’. With a dynamic energy across these singles and EP, the heavy hitters have left a mark on the community, and now they’re back for more with their latest piece - ODE. Let’s get into it. 

The EP’s strength lies in its relentless, doom-spirited journey of despair. Kicking off with two-minute bassy-doom gut-wrencher ‘Nosebleed’, the Queenslanders immerse you into chaos with screeching guitars over a rhythmic and well-structured bassy deathly intro. Vocalist Wade Felsch delivers a raw, guttural performance that feels both desperate and commanding, an evolution from what we’ve heard from him to date. 

Without time to waste, Virtues bleed into lead-single ‘Blasphemer’ which caught the eye of riff-hunters far and wide. As one of the longer tracks on the EP, this meaty number sees the band groove together in a tight motion as they build a scary and uncomfortable tension, torn apart by a brusk purge that Felsch comfortably maintains. The mid-point delivers a tasty little breakdown with a step-up in production - a kind nod to their growth. This enjoyable tune leaves you itching to hear it live.

‘The Wolf Remains’ is the uncomfortable mid-point of this EP where glimpses of hardcore peek through this multi-dimensional band’s sound. With an even crunchier vocal mix, Virtues intentionally deliver a raw vocal engine that’s stretched across a far cleaner instrumental metallic orchestra - a winning combo. The mathcore tension continues between the melodic folds that are carefully written in - I love it, this band just do whatever they want and it lands so well; they have a vision here. “Let the cowards bow to me” - this is the lyric that catapults Virtues into annihilation mode in a closing breakdown. 

Sweating yet? Me too. ‘This Too Shall Pass’ arrives once you’re warmed up and ready for the clammy head-banger of a track. With a vocal-entry that doubles-down on a growl, the rhythm guitar takes the lead to drive Virtues forward on this journey of pandemonium. Screeches, blast-beats and beautiful noise; this is a structured mess. 

Virtues finish their 2025 release with ‘Absolute Death’, a remarkable title for an epilogue. This song is considered a marathon in its four-minutes compared to predecessors, and packed with a punch from start to finish. The band channel a German metalcore inspiration on this one, with elements reminiscent to Heaven Shall Burn. It’s a very particular vocal chaos combined with well-planned instrumentation that gives this nod. With ebbs and flows in pace, Virtues give it all they’ve got here so you get lost in technical prowess and brutality. With an emotive bridge to breakdown, the Queenslanders leave you a special mark at the end of ODE.

Overall, this record is a fun mind-bender that nods to a particular 2010s decade era of metalcore - where genres fuse, a raw edge flourishes and experimentation is at an all-time high. The only thing missing from this EP is a stable style - if they picked one and let at it, there’d be something even more special to digest. 

Rating: 8.5/10
ODE is out on 8 August. Pre-Save here.
Review by Ricky Aarons